Printing telegraphy



'Ocffa 2i, 1924.

G. s. VERNAM PRINTING yTELECTRAPHY filed Nov. 4, 1921 2 Sheets-Shao?, 1`

WM u i* mi., 21E., 1924. 1,512,070

G. S. VERNAM PRINTING TELEGRAPHY Filed N ov; 1 1921 2 sheets-snee: 2

i y tems.

omiten stares i5-taart ser Gunnar s. IIERNAIVI, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, AssIGNoN 'ro AMERICAN TELE- rNoN AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, A comune/'DION or NEW YORK.

ERINTING 'TELEGRAPHYQ Application' led November'li, 1921. Serial No. 512,830.

To cti/071.0771 t may cof/1.06m.'

Be i known that I, GILBERT S. VERNAM, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State ot NewA York, have invented certain `Improvements in Printing Telegraphy, of which the following is a specification.

This intention relates to telegraph sys- An obj ect of this invention is the provision of means at a point intermediate the ends of a signaling conductor for repeating and regenerating signaling current impulses, and while it is particularly adapted for use in systems or' the start-stop type, itis clearly not limited to this ield.

Another object-is to provide means whereby an operator at a receiving station may eilect the operation of an auxiliary signaling/device at the transmitting stationand stop the transmittingv apparatus.

In accomplishing the above objects, the invention contemplates a system of relays and connections interposed between sections or branches 'of a line conductor whereby each signal impulse may be regenerated and repeated to the adjoiningline section, be-

sides the provision in such a system of means whereby a change in line conditions at the receiving station, an auxiliary receiving device at the transmitting station may be actuated to communicate a; break in signal to the operator thereat, and stop the transmitting apparatus.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically circuit and apparatus employed at one terminal station.

Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically circuits and apparatus 'employed at a repeating or re-generating station. y

The invention, in general, comprises sending equipment A including an auxiliary signaling mechanism operative upon a change in line conditions at the receiving station and receiving equipment B located at a terminal station, and res-generative repeating equipment C located at an intermediate station, all stations being connected by duplex line conductors 4 and 5.

The term re-generative repeater77 as used herein, refers to repeating vmechanism in which the signaling current impulses are regenerated a-t a point intermediate the ends oi' the signaling conductor to correct for distortion which the signals may have suifered in the transmission thereof over the first line section, as distinguished froml a repeater in which .the .signals are not regenerated but merely repeated to the ad- Joining line section.

The sending equipment A includes a cur- 'rent control means 6 such as a tape transmitter or, any well-known type of transmitter, which selects the impulses to be transmitted subsequentially'over the line conductor 5, by means of a start-stop or intermit'- tently rotating distributor 7, to the receiving equipment B. l

The sending distributor 7 comprises an arm 14 which intermittently rotates over a plurality of continuous and segmented rings- 15,1 6,17 and 18, the continuousand segmented rings being arranged in pairs. The segments 2O to 24 of the outer ring 18 are connected to contacts 8 to 12 inclusive magnet 27 under the' control of the releasev relay 28, the'energizing circuit of which is completed as previously described.

The receiving equipment B includes a receiving instrument, such as a printer diagrammatically represented at 29 which comprises va plurality of selecting magnets 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 and a start-stop distributor 35.

The receiving distributor 35 comprises a pair of segmented distributor rings 37 and 38and an intermittently rotating brush arm 36 which is adapted to associate the distributor segments 39, 40, 41, '42 and 43 with the ring 38. The outer ring 37 of the distributor also includes a start segment 44 which, when the brush arm 36 is held against rotation, is bridged by the brush carried thereby with'the segment 45 Jforming a part of the inner ring 38. The brush arm 36 is arranged to be released by a release ma et 46 under the control of a line relay 47 w ich responds to incoming impulses.

Associated with the receiving equipment line 5 thereby causing the line rela-y at the distantA station to be released. Upon the deener'gization of the line relay 47 a condition Will be crea-ted whereby this relay establishes, upon the passage of the `inner brush carried by the brush arm 14 over the segment 26, an energizing circuit or aI break relay 49. This break relay 49 controls the operation of a signal-ing device and opens the energizing current of the start relay 28.

Responsive to the operation of the sending distributor l7 and the actuation of the respective contacts of the transmitter 6, a pole'- changing'relay having an operating winding 52 and a locking Winding 53 is provided for' applying to the apex of the ratio arms, which have included therein the windings of a receiving relay 59, impulses ota polarity depending upon the actuation of the transmitter contacts. The relay 59- is so 'constructed and connected that it responds only to incoming impulses and is non-responsive to outgoing impulses.

The apparatus so far described constitutes' the equipment of one station but it will be understood that any desired number of stations may be associated With the line conducto-rs 4 and 5 in the same manner asthe station above described so that the normally closed line circuit Will extend serially through the several stations.

The repeating or regenerating equipment C which is interposed intermediate the line conductors 4 and 5 comprises a distributor 61 including a plurality of rings 62, 63,' 64 and 65 and a .brush arm 66. The brush arm 66 is released upon the energization of a release magnet 67 under the control oit the brush carried. by the brush arm 66 which bridges segments 73 and 74 of the rings 62 and 63 respectively, and the receiving relay 70 which is connected to the ratiov arms forming a part of the line conductor 5 and terminating at the repeater station C. The segments of the ring 65, there being seven in number,-

'one corresponding to each unit of the tive `unit code for which the system is especially designed, the sixth serving as a stop segment while the seventh serving lto effect the transmission of a starting impulse to the distant or receiving station upon the passage of the brush carried by the brush arm 66 thereover. Alternate ones of the segments forming the ring 65, are connected With an armatureof the polarized storing relay 68 which serves for storingvthe impulses subsequently'to be ltransmitted While the remaining onesthereof are connected with the armature of a similar storing relay 69 serving the same purpose as relay 68. These relays 68 and 69are prothe armatures thereof in the position set. The outer ring 62 comprises a plurality of segments, the length of which are approxi mately one-quarter the length ofthe segments forming the ring'65 so that only. the center portion of each segment is used for operating the printer and which are connected with the left hand Winding of the respective storing relays. lith this arrangen ment, the characters Will be recorded correctly even though' the received signals are somewhat distorted.

' Equipment similar tothat designated by the numeral-61 is shown. at 71 for regenerating -and, repeating signals to be transmitted in the direction of the arrow. Inasmuch as such equipment is identical tothat just described, a detail description thereo-tis considered unnecessary here.

lThe operation of the system is as follows: .Assuming now that the station A, as shown vin F ig. 1, is sending, the transmitter 6 Will be actuated thereby closing certain ones of the contacts 8 to 12'inclusive depending upon thecode impulses toy beV transmitted, the

start or cutoftl key 13 also being operated.

The closure of the contact 'controlled by the key" 13 completes a circuit from battery through the ring l5 of the ,distributor 7, the inner brush secured to the brush arm 14, segment 16, switch 18, left-hand normal contact of relay 49, andthe Winding of start control relay 28 to ground. The start relay 28, when energized, `establishes an energizing circuit for release magnet 27 extending from battery through the Winding of release magnet 27 and the contact and armature of start Arelay 28 to ground. Release magnet 27 thereupon operates and releases the brush for causing the deenergization of the rele-ase magnet 27 in order to stop the brush arm 14 at the end of its cycle.

As soon as the outer brush of the'brush arne14 passes oltof the segment 19 forming a part of the outer ring 18, the circuit extendingv from battery through the segment 19outer brush of the brush arm 14, ring 17, normal contacts of the break key 48, line relay 47 armature and off-'normal .contact of relay 58 and the Winding 52 of the pole? changing relay, is openedfwhereby the armature 'of the pole-changing relay is released pasforapplying to the apex of the ratio arms a 'current the polarity of which is opposite to that which is normally applied to the line. In order to insure the continued operation of relay58, upon the release of thearmature of the pole-changing relay for opening contact 55 and closing contact 56,`relay 60 is provided which is normally energized for establishingfan auxiliary energizing circuit Receiving relay 59 thereupon opens its con-` for this relay through its back contact. The purpose of relay 60 is to maintain relay 58 energized whereby the pole-changing relay 52 is retained in its released position regardless of incomingimpulse should the break key 48 be openedv at the transmitting station. This impulse, inpassing over the line conf ductor 5, causes the energization of the receiving relay located at the repeater station, and theA battery connections under the control of this relay and the relay 69 are connected so as to be in series aiding, thus causing the energization of the release magnet 67 of the distributor 61. Release magnet 67 upon being energized releases the brush arm 66 which thereupon begins its rotation and when the inner brush carried thereby passes on to segment forming a part of the ring 65, reverses the polarity of the battery applied to the line 4 to cause the operation of the receiving relay 59 at the distant station.

tact and causes the deenergization of relay 58 which controls through its contact the energizing circuit of vthe line-relay'47 and establishes an energizing circuit for Winding 53 for preventing the release of the polechanging relay 52. Line relay 47 then releases its armature which completes an energizing circuit for release magnet 46 of the receiving distributor 35 extending from battery through the Winding of release magnet 46, segment 44, brush carried by the arm 36, segment 45 and the back contact and arniature of relay 47 to ground. The brush armv 36 is thereby released .for rotation.

y Assuming that the contacts 8, 1Q and 12 are closed, as the brush arm 14 rotates over the segment 20, battery is again applied to the operating Winding 52 of the pole changing relay thereby causing the energization thereof 'and the application to line of an impulse representing one unit forming a part of the desired character. This impulse passes over the line conductor 5 to the Windings of the receiving relay 70 which responds to reverse the position of its arma-Y ture and connect negative battery to the segment 77 which forms a part of the ring 63. Brush arm 66 then bridges the segment 77 with the segment 78 .Which is connected to the left-hand winding of storing relay 68 but since this relay is already positioned to connect positive battery With the armature thereof, the position of its armature will thereby be reversed. lAs the brush arm passes over segment 79, an impulse of negative polarity will be applied to the line 4. Such a circuit may be traced from grounded battery, upper contact and armature of storing relay 68, segment 79, inner brush carried by the b rush arm 66, the conductor 80 to the apexof the ratio arms 76 and from there on over the adjoining line section 4 to the r,e

-ceiving station. As brush arm 14 passes from the segment 2O to the second selecting segment 21, the energizing circuit 'for the coil 52 of the pole-changingrelay is open whereby this relay releases its arniat-ure for closing contact 56 and applies positive potential to the apex of the ratio arms'whicli is connected with the li-ne conductor 5. The receiving relay 70 atrtlie repeater station will respond to this impulse :tor reversing the position or' its armature and consequentmanner similar-Ato that previously described.

Conditions similar to those just described deE pending upon the position of the transmitter contacts 11 and 12 will be created upon the passage of brush arin .14 over the corresponding segments 23 and 24.

The operation, of the receiving apparatus Fig. 1 will be described, it being understood that the operation of all receiving apparatus along the line will be identical. As previously described, the reversal of the normal line conditions caused the eiiergization of the. release magnet 46 whereby brush arm 36 is caused to rotate. Immediately upon the passage of the brush arm off of the segment 45 the energizing circuit of the release control magnet 46 is opened thereby causing the deenergization of this magnet for releasing thel stop arm to stop the brush arm at the completion of its rotation.

y After passing over segments 44 and 45, the brush arm bridges segment 38 and At this moment, the first selecting unit, as previously described, is being received from the line. At each of the receiving stan tions, the rst selecting impulse, being ot such character as to cause the operation of the receiving relay 59, causes theconsequent relay 47, vLine relay 47 thereupon closes its front contact so that upon `the passage vof the brush over the segments 38 and 39,

the energizing circuit of selecting magnet 30 will be closed and consequently moveY nient ofthe selecting bar controlled there-- by will result. As the brush arm continues its rotation, it passes over the secotid select ing segment at the moment the second selecting impulse is received which is of a polarity suiiicient to cause the energization of receiving relay 59 whereby relay 58 is deenergized and consequently, line relay 47 is deenergized ,for closing its back .contact.. Ground is thereupon not con- 'energizing circuit for the release magnet 46 is not completed owing to the position.

of the armature ofthe line relay .47, and the brush arm 36 comes torest.l The apparatus is no w ready to respond to another series of codeiinpulses. y

Assuming now'that a receiving operator desires to break in. for any purpose, the operator will opera-te break key 48 at his station. Inasmuch as the contacts of this key are serially connected in a manner to effect .a-change in the electrical conditions of the line by. causing the deenergizatio-n' of the pole-changing relay at such statiozi, and consequently the application of a source of battery of a positive polarity with the line 4. Receiving relay 72 which is connected in the ratiov arms 76 is operated whereby fthebatteries underthe control of this relay and the polarized ,storing relay 81 at the repeater station C are connected -in series aiding for causing the energization of, release vmagnet 820i the distributor 7l. The receiving relay 72 will remain in this position until the break key 48 is released When it will return to its normal position as shown in the draw-ings.

When the brush arm 83 of the distributor 71 passs over the receiving segments 84 andff85ff polarized storing relays 81 and 86 Awill be operated so as to connect positive battery with their contacts, and will remain inv this position While the brush arm 83 passesover the remaining receiving segments. The brush arm 83 will .be stopped upon the completionof this rotation and remain in this position' Ufllil the line condition is reversed. Under theconditions justv described, a currentiinpulse of positive polarity will be transmitted to the adjoiningline sec-tion 5 immediately. .upon the passage of thev inner brush of the arm 83T; over the segment' 89 and such impulse will continue While the brushl crossestlie remaining sending segments and as long as it remains on segment 90, which is the acter causes the operation of receiving relayv 59 whereby the energizing circuit -for relay 58 is opened thereby causing the release ot this relay as previously described. The pole-changing relay is retained in its normal position with negative potential ap-A plied t-o the line conductor 5, as the lock- ,ing winding 53 of this pole changing i'elay" is now energized dueto the opening of contact 57 under thetcontrol of relay 58. The deenergization oit-relay 58 as previously ldescribed also opens the energizing circuit of line relay 47 which is likewise deenergized and remains in such position until the relay is again energized. Upon the passage of the inner brush on `the brush arm 14 of the transmitting distributor 7 over segment 26, an.' energizing circuit is completed .for break relay' 49 extending from battery through ringpl, linner brush of the brush arm 14, segment 26, left-hand winding of break relay 49 and the back vcontact and armaturev of line relay 47 to tion until the release keyr!) is operated for.

opening the .locking circuit just traced.

Also, upon the closure of the right-hand contact 'of break relay! 49, an energizing circuit is completed for operating-the signaling device 50 which may be a bell oi" any well-known means for givingan indication to the transmitting operator that the receiving operator desires to reverse the direction of sending.

4When the break key at the receiving station is released, the polechanger relay at such station will be energized in a manner to connect a potentialof a negative polarity to the adJoining' line section for causing a l similar movement of the receiving relay 72 connected in the ratio arms 7G. Negative battery will thereby be connected to the Winding oit the release magnet 58 which will operate and release the brush arm 88. lVhenv the brush arm 88 crosses receiving segments 84 and 85, relays Sland 86 will be operated again in the opposite direction, as previously described` to connect negative potential with the adjoining line section 5 when the brush arm 83 reaches sending segment 89 and WhichWill continue -to be applied until the brush arm 83is again released for rotation. normal position of the brush arm 88. -The transmission of an impulse of this char' From the previous description, it Will-be seen that when the break key is operated at a receiving station, a steady impulse of a,

positive polarity will be transmitted over iis connected in series between the contacts of` the receiving relay 7U and the receiving ring 77 of the distributor 6l'. A condenser S8-is connected from this resistance to ground. The polarity of the charge on this condenser 'is reversed every time the receiving relay 70 reverses, and it serves the purpose of bridging over the interval while the tongue or 'armature of the receiving relay is 'passing from one contact to another.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a line conductor di-l vided into sections, relaying apparatus interposed between adjacent sections comprising a plurality of storing relays .to be se- .lectivelyA operated, intermittently rotating distributing apparatus for distributing the signals from one ot said line sections to said storing relays, a source of signaling current, and circuit connections also established by said distributing apparatus for connecting said source of current with the adjoining line section in accordance with the operation of the storing relays.

2. In combination, a line conductor divided into sections, relaying apparatus interposed between adjacent sections comprising a pair of relays associated therewith to be selectively operated, an intermittently rotating distributor lfor consecutively connecting said relays with'one of said line sections, a source of signaling current, and circuit connections extending between said source of current and the adjoining line sec-.

tion completed directly by said distributor in accordance with the operation of said 5 .the condition of the line circuit is changed relays.

3. Retransmitting apparatus comprising a start-stop distributor having receiving and transmitting sections, storing means selectively operated by impulses distributed thereto through said receiving section, a line circuit, a source of current associated with said storing means` and circuit connections established by said Ldistributor for connecting said source ot currentto said line circuit through said transmitting section as determined by the vstoring means. i

4. In a printing telegraph system. a, line circuit, a plurality of printing telegraph stations, repeating apparatus Vintermediate the ends of said line circuit for regenerating signaling current impulses, comprising a rotary distributor and signal storing means, transmitting apparatus associated with said line circuit at one` of said stations, receiving apparatus associated with said line circuit at' another of said stations, means at the receiving station for effecting a change in the electrical conditions of said line circuit to cause theoperation of said. distributor and said signal storing means whereby a prolonged impulse is transmitted over said line, and a signal at the transmitting station responsive to such prolonged impulse but unresponsive to impulses for operating the receiving apparatus.

5. In a printing telegraph system, a line circuit, a plurality of printing telegraph stations, repeating apparatus intermediate the ends of said line circuit for regenerating the signaling current impulses, a plurality oli-.stations along said line, transmitting apparatus associated withsaid line circuit at one of said stations, a receiving printer asso.

ciated with said line. circuit at another of said stations, `a key for effecting a change in the conditions of said line circuit to cause the operation of the repeating apparatus to transmit a prolonged impulse, a signaling device at the transmitting station responsive to such prolonged impulse but unresponsive to impulses for operating the receiving printer.

6. In a printing telegraph system, a line circuit, a plurality ofprinting telegraph stations, repeating .apparatus intermediate the ends of said line circuit for regenerating the signaling current impulses, transmitting apparatus associated with said line circuit at one of said stations, a receiving printer associated with said line circuit at another of said stations, means at said last mentioned station to change the electrical condition of said line circuit, means at said first mentioned station responsive to impulses transmitted to operate the receiving printer, a special signaling device controlled by said last mentioned means and unoperated by the response of said means to said transmitted impulses but operated by said means when due to the operation of said means at the receiving station which causes the operation of said repeating apparatus to transmit a prolonged impulse. i

7 In a .printing telegraph system, a line circuit, a plurality/of printing telegraph stations, repeatingapparatus intermediate the ends of said line circuit for regenerating the signa-ling current impulses, a receiving printer associated with said line circuit at one of said stations, transmitting apparatus associated with said line circuit at another of said stations, means at the receiving station for e'ecting a change in the conditions of said line circuit, a relay at the transmitting station responsive to impulses transmitted -to operate the receiving printer, a special signaling device controlled by said relay and unoperated by the response of said relay to such transmittedimpulses but operated by said relay when the condition of said line circuit is' changed whereby said repeating apparatus is operated to effect the transmission of a prolonged impulse.

8. In a printing telegraph'system, a line circuit, a plurality of printing telegraph stations associated with said line circuit, repeating apparatus intermediate the ends of said line circuit for regenerating the signal-v ing current impulses, a rotary distributor at each station' comprising a brush rotatable over a plurality of segments, a transmitter associated with the distributor atone station, a receiving printer associated with the distributor at a second station, means responsive to the operation ofthe transmitter to transmit an impulse to release the brush of the distributor at the secondstation, whereby vthe brushes rotate in synchronism to transmit impulses `from the transmitter to thereceiving printer, a special signal at saidv irst station non-responsive to said im'- pulses, and means at. the second station to so change the electrical conditions at said line .circuit during the transmission of impulses whereby saidrepeating apparatus is operated to transmit a series of impulses of a predetermined character to operate said special signal. A

9.,In a printing telegraph system, a line circuit, a plurality of printing telegraph stations associated with .said line circuit, repeating apparatus intermediate the ends of said line circuit for regenerating'the signaling current impulses, intermittently rotating `distributors at each of said stations, a`

transmitter associated with the distributor at one station,"'a receiving printenassociated 40 with the distributor at a second station, means responsive to the operation of the transmitter to transmit an impulse by means. of lsaid distributor at the first station-:to

cause the operation of the distributor at the second station whereby said distributors operate to transmit impulses from the transmitter to the .receiving printer, a` special signal at said first station unresponsive to said impulses, and. means at the second station to alter the electricalconditionsof the line circuit wherebysaid repeating apparatus is operated to effect the transmission of a series ofimpulses of -a predeterminedv character to operate said special signal and stop-'one of said distributors.

10. In a telegraphvsystem, a line circuitv joining two stations, repeating apparatus intermediate the ends of said line 'circuit for regenerating the signaling current impulses,transmitt1ng and receiving distributing apparatus associated with said line circuit at the ends thereof, and means at the i receiving station for altering the electrical conditions of said liney cincuit whereby said yrepeating apparatus is operated to transmit a series of impulses of a predetermined character to cause the stoppage of said transmitting distributing apparatus.

11. In a telegraph system, a line circuit, a plurality of telegraph stations associated with said line circuit, repeating apparatus intermediate the ends of said line circuitfo-r regenerating the signaling current impulses, and intermittently rotary distributor at veach station, transmitting apparatus associated with the distributor at one station, a receiving apparatus associated with the distributor at' a second station whereby signals may be transmitted -by the transmitting apparatus lover the line and'distributed to the receiving apparatus, and means to vchangethe electrical'conditions of the line circuit whereby said repeating apparatus is ceding impulse until the character of the impulsey is changed, a source vof- 'signaling current, and circuit connections established by said distributor for connecting said source of current with the vadjoining line section. f

- 13.- In combination, a line conductor divided into sections, relaying apparatus \in l terposed between adjacent sections compris- .ing a distributor which isarranged` to be stopped once for each cycle of its rotation, a pair of relays associated therewith to be selectively operated, holding circuits for vsaid relays for maintaining said relays energized. in accordancewith the character of the preceding im ulse until the character ofv the impulse is 11a-ling `current,;and circuit connections esltablished by said distributor for connecting f said source of current with the adjoining line section.

- In testimony whereof, I havesign'ed my name to this specification this 2nd day of November, 1921.

` GILBERT S. VERNAM.

anged, a source of sig- 

